The Foreign Service Journal, December 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2019 17 SPEAKING OUT In Support of Professional Nonpartisan Diplomacy D uring this time of unusual attention to diplomacy in connection with the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, we want to call attention to some of the strong voices speaking out in support of professional diplomacy and the U.S. Foreign Service. Here are just a few of them. v Lawmakers Emphasize the Importance of a Career, Nonpartisan U.S. Foreign Service Whereas the Foreign Service of the United States, established under the Act of May 24, 1924 (commonly known as the “Rogers Act”), and strengthened by the Foreign Service Act of 1946 and the Foreign Service Act of 1980, provides indispensable support to the President, the Secretary of State, and other senior leaders in conducting the foreign policy of the United States; … Whereas members of the Foreign Service take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and to remain above partisan and political considerations; Whereas members of the Foreign Service are deployed world- wide—(1) to serve the people of the United States; (2) to advance the interests and values of the United States; and (3) to project the leadership of the United States globally; Whereas the work of the Foreign Service is vital to the national security, foreign policy, and commercial interests of the United States; Whereas members of the Foreign Service often serve in extreme hardship and difficult security situations; Whereas not fewer than 250 members of the Foreign Service have given their lives in service of the United States while serving the people of the United States abroad; Whereas the presence of the Foreign Service abroad gives the United States a competitive advantage in advancing the interests of the United States; Whereas the knowledge and expertise of members of the Foreign Service are invaluable in shaping the foreign policy of the United States; Whereas, through diplomatic engagement, the Foreign Service promotes partnerships that further good governance, the rule of law, and democratic institutions; and Whereas the contributions of the Foreign Service are extra- ordinarily valuable to the United States: Now therefore Be It Resolved, That the Senate— Highlights the nonpartisan nature of the Foreign Service of the United States and the oath taken by members of the For- eign Service to defend the Constitution of the United States to advance the foreign policy of the democratically elected officials of the United States and to serve the people of the United States; Recognizes the importance of a nonpartisan Foreign Service in advancing the foreign policy of the United States; Calls on all people of the United States to respect the nonpar- tisan, nonpolitical work of the Foreign Service; Condemns political retaliation against members of the For- eign Service; and Urges all people of the United States to support a strong Foreign Service as essential to the national security and interests of the United States. —Resolution submitted to the U.S. Senate of the 116th Congress by Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Harris, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Reed, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Blumenthal and Mr. Markey), Oct. 19. AAD Stands with the Oath of Office and the Diplomats Who Follow It The American Academy of Diplomacy stands with the diplomats who have recently followed their oath of office and appeared before Congress despite orders not to do so. The women and men of the State Department, as well as our military and intelligence colleagues, take a solemn oath both as they begin their careers and then reaffirm it many times after during their service to our great nation. The key words of that oath, which is established in law, are worth quoting here: “To support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.”The